Software factory principles, architecture, and experiments

Abstract

The software factory concept which symbolizes a desired paradigm shift from labor-intensive software production to a more capital-intensive style in which substantial investments can be made at an acceptable risk level is discussed. Most traditional software environments emphasize support for producing code and associated documents. In a software factory, the focus shifts to coordinating information between producers and consumers so that the right person always has the right information at the right time. A CASE environment architecture and two factory experiments, one a prototype software factory environment for real-time system development, and the other a factory for exploring information logistics, are reviewed.